If you wandered around towns in Israel this past week, you will have seen strange constructions dotted around, fitted into every possible space – on the ground and on balconies. They’re temporary dwellings to remind us of similar dwellings in which the Children of Israel lived during the forty years that they wandered through the desert.
Yes, it was the festival of Succoth, during which Israelis, religious and secular, honour the tradition of building, eating in and sometimes sleeping in booths. I was lucky enough to be invited to eat in the Sukkah of David and Ruth:
In this wonderfully-decorated sukkah, I was treated to a delicious vegetarian meal and delightful company.
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In other news, the Society of Authors has now made a recording of the Twitter story, for which I contributed the last line – read by a real actor. Here it is:
October 20, 2011 at 10:59 pm
What an interesting Festival, I love the booth you pictured. Also, how awesome to have something you wrote read by Bill Nighy
October 23, 2011 at 7:32 am
It is (the festival and the awesomeness).
October 23, 2011 at 7:11 am
What a beautiful Sukka and such beautiful Sukkees. I hope that Gilad Shalit was also able to celebrate freedom too in his home.
But where was Daisy?
October 23, 2011 at 7:30 am
Hi Deb – thanks for popping in. Daisy was of course part of the delightful company. And Gilad shalit was of course part of the conversation.
October 24, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Gorgeous photo..thank you….not quite as good as being there, obviously, but very atmospheric. Well done, Ruth, David, Daisy, for creating such a lovely space. And Bill Nighy! Almost my favourite actor and voice….what a treat tonight, Pamela
October 25, 2011 at 8:57 am
Thank you for coming here, too – virtually.
October 26, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I love any chance to peek inside people’s homes. I know next to nothing of how the Israelis live so thanks for sharing.
October 26, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Really we live much the same as anywhere else, surprising as that may sound.